Warner to play for new NMU soccer team

Gibraltar’s Tristin Warner signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer next fall at Northern Michigan University during a ceremony Friday at the high school in Fish Creek. Tristin's parents, Kris and Joe Warner, witness the signing as well as Gibraltar Athletic Director Peggy Tanck, right.(Photo: Tina M. Gohr/Door County Advocate)Buy Photo

Tristin Warner is planning to study history at Northern Michigan University. He’ll also be making some history when he’s there.

Warner, a Gibraltar High School senior, signed a National Letter of Intent Friday afternoon to play for NMU’s new men’s soccer team that will debut next fall.

NMU, located in Marquette, decided in 2014 to add men’s soccer, as well as men’s swimming and diving, women’s golf and women’s lacrosse to its NCAA Division II athletics department beginning with the 2016-2017 school year.

“It’s kind of a unique opportunity,” said Warner. “It’s kind of nice to know that you’re going to be part of starting a program and building a team. I’m kind of nervous, but I’m up for the challenge.”

Warner said he landed a partial scholarship with NMU through connections between his club coach Quinn Ross of FC Wisconsin and David Poggi, who was named the Wildcats’ inaugural head coach in September. Ross and Poggi both previously coached soccer at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

“I’m very grateful for the connection that was provided for me and the word that Quinn put in for me with coach Poggi,” said Warner. “I’ve told him that so many times. Other schools expressed interest in me, but nothing that involved scholarships like NMU.”

NMU has yet to unveil its roster, but Poggi spent several months recruiting and held an open tryout in November to search for prospective players, according to a story on the school’s website. The tryout featured 38 players, including potential transfers, junior college players, current NMU students and high schoolers, from six different states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Colorado and Montana.

Warner said he’s not familiar with any players who have committed to NMU.

“It’s going to be new for everyone,” he said. “So hopefully we come together well and have a good season.”

Warner was a four-year starter in high school for the combined Gibraltar/Sevastopol team. He earned all-conference honors all four years, including first-team as a sophomore, junior and senior.

Warner scored 16 goals and had 15 assists in 18 games during his senior season. He’s not sure what his role will be at NMU, but he’s hopeful to play midfield or forward as he did in high school.

“I’m hoping to get a chance right away, said Warner. “I’m pretty confident. I played on a (club) team with U23s. A lot of them played college soccer and I felt I held my own with them.”

Warner is the first boys soccer player from Gibraltar to receive a scholarship to play at the college level, said his father and high school coach, Joe Warner.

“As a parent, we couldn’t be more proud of him,” said Joe. “He’s really worked his whole life to play soccer. He’s been playing since he was 2 years old.

“As a coach, I don’t take credit for anything that he does because he’s had such great other coaches that he’s worked with over the years.”

Sports editor Korey Mallien can be reached at sports@doorcountyadvocate.com or (920) 743-3321. Follow him on Twitter @DCASports